Today I spoke with Elena Tuero on the telephone.
Elena is an amazing individual. She has lived with PD for the last 20 years. PD has not stopped Elena from living a full life, in fact, Elena is a vibrant and talented person who devotes her time to helping others.
Elena serves as a volunteer in many different areas. She is the founder of Organizacion del Mal de Parkinson, a non-profit organization that provides information in Spanish about Parkinson's. She feels deep concern for those living outside the United States because "many people from my country have no access to information about Parkinson's," she said.
Elena is currently trying to raise $500 to formally incorporate this organization. The organization's Web site has already had more than 5000 visitors this year (click here to visit the site). In addition to the Web site, each month Elena hosts a support group in her home where people with Parkinson's meet to exchange tips, talk about PD, and develop friendships.
Over the years Elena has utilized many therapies to treat her symptoms of PD. Currently she uses Activa® therapy (deep brain stimulation or DBS). "I'm interested in helping people," she said. "I let people come to my house to find out what to expect from DBS surgery." She also responds to email questions that people have about Parkinson's and different treatment options she has experienced.
She has two teenagers—something she finds hard to believe. She works hard to make sure her children do well in school.
Last September, Elena spent five days cycling 150 miles in Maine to raise money for Parkinson's research.
On top of all this, Elena is a wonderful artist. I saw several of her paintings at a Parkinson's event in Salt Lake City and that is why I was interested in interviewing her (you can see her work in a prior blog entry by clicking here). Elena started to paint after having DBS surgery. Her paintings are often sold at auctions to benefit Parkinson's research. The six paintings I saw were beautiful and inspiring.
You can email Elena at eetuero@msn.com.
If someone with Parkinson's has inspired you, please let me know at info@myparkinsonsinfo.com.